On Inuyasha's arm, Atem followed his new mate to the dining hall and joined him at the head of the table. All around Yōkai took their seats, chattering amongst themselves and tossing curious glances toward the newly wed couple. Other faces held disgust and Atem wondered if they were for him, his new mate, or the humans that sat at Inuyasha's right. He got his answer a moment later.

"Why are humans joining us?" Snapped an irate Panther demon.

"They are my brother's companions," Sesshōmaru informed him calmly. "So, I suggest you treat them with respect, Daisuke."

Snarling, Daisuke looked ready to protest, but clearly thought better of it. Sesshōmaru wasn't a Demon that you went against unless you had a death wish.

"Congratulations you two! I'm Miroku by the way and this is Sango."

Smiling warmly, Atem nodded toward them. "Greetings. These are my companions, Mahad, Karim and Isis. They travelled from Egypt with me."

"Will you stay long?" Sango questioned, accepting a glass of Sake from Miroku with a grateful nod. "I assume Atem will be staying here with Inuyasha."

"That is the plan," Mahad confirmed, smile a little sad. "It'll take some getting used to, not having him under foot all the time. Though, I hope he'll send for us whenever he's pupped."

Choking on his Sake, Inuyasha barked a cough and pounded on his chest to clear his airways. Pups! Kami help him! But it would most likely go that way and since canine demons had a much shorter pregnancy cycle, he'd be a father within a matter of months and the very idea was terrifying.

Chuckling, Isis held out a napkin. "Oh, never mind Mahad there. There's plenty of time for that. Unless our Atem is extremely fertile and is already pupped from your passionate bedding."

"Isis!" Atem squawked utterly horrified. "Could we not discuss such matters."

"I suppose you'll find traipsing through the country a good use of your time?"

Startled by the question, Atem looked to Daisuke. The panther demon seemed determined to cause an argument and by Inuyasha's low growl, it was working.

"If that is what my mate wishes," Atem responded calmly. "I grew up in a desert. Lush forests and interesting towns aren't about to deter me."

Daisuke snorted. "It will if there's a pup in your belly. Or do you plan on raising an Heir to the Western lands like a dog on the streets?"

Inuyasha snarled, hand gripping the hilt of his blade. "You're really pushing it."

Daisuke yelped when he was suddenly yanked to his feet, Sesshōmaru positively livid. "Did this Sesshōmaru not warn you to be respectful? I did not think I'd have to be specific…it also equates to my brother and his mate."

Daisuke grunted, struggling against Sesshōmaru's vicious grip, the acidic stench of the InuDaiYōkai's poison filling his nose. "It's a fair question!"

"It is also one of no concern to you. I will see to any pup being born safely here within my palace." Sesshōmaru barked. "So, belay your fears and stop ruining this occasion."

Daisuke cursed as he was dropped back in his seat. Thoroughly scolded, the panther demon endeavoured to keep his mouth shut for the rest of the night.

Inuyasha was surprised by his brother's behaviour, but then, the older dog demon got his way, so being gracious toward him probably wasn't that hard to manage. Even if he was forced into this, he couldn't find anything to be regretful for. Atem was stunning, with an interesting personality and had no issue with him being a Hanyō. It was refreshing. He dreaded the moment Kagome would ruin it.

"Don't let her."

Startled, Inuyasha's gaze snapped toward Miroku and Sango. "What?"

"I can see it written on your face, my friend," Miroku said solemnly. "You're worried about what Kagome will do to ruin it and I'm telling you, don't let her."

"Miroku's right," Sango said with a sharp nod. "Kagome gets away with mistreating you and we're to blame for that too. It stops now, Inuyasha…You deserve to be happy."

Inuyasha hadn't realised just how much he needed to hear that. In honesty, he was so used to being mistreated, that Kagome's behaviour just seemed normal. But lately she had begun sitting him for any little thing and he just couldn't take it anymore. He'd even stopped going to her time to retrieve her, because deep down, he didn't want her coming back. Let them deal with Naraku alone, if it meant he wasn't sat!

The wedding celebrations continued until near dawn. No matter their claims of superiority, demons were just as gluttonous when it came to free food and Sake. They just knew how to hold it better. When Inuyasha finally bid his companions goodnight and retired to the set wedding chambers alongside Atem, the nerves had begun to creep back in.

Kami, he was married! It was still so hard to believe. Silently, he undressed. Atem busily removing pins from his hair, until the tricoloured strands fell free to his knees and when the Uke demon released a sudden hiss of pain, Inuyasha surprised himself with how fast he moved.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Stripped down to just his white Habajuban, the cloth just about covered the Jackal demon's backside, but Inuyasha didn't miss the red seeping between Atem's Fundoshi and nor did his nose miss the metallic stench of blood. His purity, he was scenting the purity he had taken, and the very idea had him swelling in his Hakama. Instinct roaring, Inuyasha manoeuvred Atem to the large bed and sitting the confused Uke on its edge, Inuyasha dropped to his knees and pulled his thighs apart.

"I-Inuyasha?" Atem breathed in shock, watching while Izuku parted his Habajuban and removed his stained Fundoshi. To his shock, the dog demon rumbled a growl, bent his head and pressed his tongue against his tender opening.

Panting, legs wide, he buried his fingers in Inuyasha's hair as the male lapped at his sex, cleaning away the blood he drew during their bedding. He could feel his body healing, even as he grew aroused. His cock twitching, core swelling and growing wet.

The pungent aroma of want filled the room and with a curse, Inuyasha pushed Atem further up the soft bedding, following him, even as he ripped open his Hakama. Kissing the smaller male hungrily, he grabbed him by his golden thighs and yanked him closer, his cock plunging in deep and pulling twin cries from them both.

"You feel so good!" Inuyasha groaned, hips pistoning hard enough, that had Atem been human, it would have hurt him.

Ink black claws gripping the lush covers, Atem arched his spine with a strangled mewl, clawed toes curling with every ploughing thrust. Mahad, Isis and Karim had spoken to him about rutting, told him what to expect, but this didn't come close!

His Yōkai wiggling close to the surface, eyes bleeding red and blue, Inuyasha found himself whispering desires he'd never put much thought to. "Gonna fill you with pups! Want to see you round and flush with them!" Growling, he nipped at his mating mark, loving how it made Atem groan.

"Y-Yes!" Atem ground out, eyes turning solid black, his own Yōkai hungry for more. "More! Harder!"

Inuyasha grabbed him and dragged his mate into his lap, rocking his hips. Pressed against his chest, Atem gasped at the new depth, hips rolling with each ploughing thrust. Fingers catching in each other's hair, they kissed with hunger until together their orgasms erupted from them, Atem's back bowing when Inuyasha's knot suddenly locked them together, the sensation driving him crazy. He barely noticed, Inuyasha moving them, or pulling the covers over them both.

Raking his claws gently over Atem's scalp, Inuyasha had never been so content. "You okay? I wasn't rough was I?"

Cheek pressed over his heart; Atem shook his head. "No…it was wonderful. This was the part I feared most. Being a Uke demon, I've heard enough vulgar suggestions from dominant males, and I dreaded how I would be treated."

"Can understand that," Inuyasha sighed. "A lot of dominant demons aren't known to be gentle with their submissive mates. You have nothing to worry about with me and if I'm every being an ass, don't be afraid to boot me in it."

Chuckling, Atem nuzzled in. "I just may hold you to that."

Grinning, Inuyasha ran his tongue affectionately over his temple and settled down to sleep.

X.x.X-I-N-U-Y-A-S-H-A/A-T-E-M-X.x.X

It was midday before anyone found the energy to leave their rooms. No longer confined by his wedding, Atem opted for a mix of Egyptian and Japanese garb. He wore a sleeveless white tunic, gold adorning his upper arms and wrists and a set of white Hakama. A sash of blue, gold and purple tied about his hips and on his feet a pair of black boots. He was also happy he could return to a lose braid in his hair, instead of the hundreds of pins and tiny braids Isis had insisted on.

Noting his new husband's attire, he blinked in surprise. "Is that made from Fire Rat fur?"

Looking over from where he had finished dressing, Inuyasha gave a start. Atem looked absolutely delectable. "Eh…Yeah…I inherited it from my father."

"Impressive…the fabric is self cleaning and self mending, yes?"

Inuyasha nodded. "You got Fire Rats in Egypt?"

"No," Atem replied, tapping a claw to his chin. "We do have Chimera's though. Their fur is good for clothing and their scales make for good weapons. If you can manage to hunt any that is. They are extremely hard to kill."

They chatted the whole way to the dining hall. Very few had gotten up yet. Sesshōmaru sat at the head of the table, Rin by his side. Inuyasha hadn't seen the human child during the wedding. She must have been in bed prior to him arriving.

Sango and Miroku sat enjoying a hearty breakfast and Shippō being the first to notice them, called out in delight. "Morning Inuyasha!"

"You have a pup?" Atem asked in surprise.

"Huh? No! Well…sort of…" Inuyasha shrugged. "We found Shippō. Both his parents are gone and so we took him in."

Shippō blinked warily, watching Atem approach. The submissive crouched next to who he realised now was a Kitsune kit and a very young one at that. A kit this young would still be carried in a sling by their mother, possibly still on the breast, yet from his scent, Atem was irritated to learn, he was clearly malnourished.

"He is being neglected," the Egyptian growled, fierce gaze locking on Inuyasha. "Surely you noticed?"

Though the scolding irritated him, it was more to do with Kagome, then it was Atem. "I know. He should be sleeping a lot more than he is and getting nutrients from raw meat…might do well with a wet nurse…but…Kagome keeps interfering."

"Kagome?"

"Another of our group," Miroku explained. "A human, who I suppose knows how to take care of human children, but not demons. She has caused numerous rows in regard to Shippō's care. Specifically, what he eats. She won't allow him to eat raw meat…. Or nap as much as he clearly needs to. I think the fact he talks as if he's much older, she doesn't see him as an infant demon."

"What?!" Atem spluttered. "But…he's a purebred Yōkai! Eating anything other than raw meat…well…he might as well not eat anything at all! A kit this young wouldn't even be long off his mother's breast…or should be still nursing! No more. Your human may learn to stay out of demon affairs."

To Shippō's surprise, he was suddenly scooped up, a hand cupping his bottom, the other pressing him against a warm chest. Tiny hands clinging to Atem's tunic, he sagged boneless, the warmth and lulling sound of the Uke's heartbeat enough to put him to sleep. It was possibly the most content Inuyasha had ever seen him since he first became a member of his pack.

With the kit secure in his arms, Atem took his own seat and reached for the food in front of him, picking out bits that Shippō could eat when the kit woke. He'd have to see how the infant got on with eating raw meat and if the nutrients were enough. Otherwise, they'd need to consider nursing him.

"Will he need a nursing demon?" Sango asked worriedly, after all, you couldn't just come across one easily. Breeding Demons hid away when they birthed and human milk would be no use.

"Most likely," Atem sighed. "Had he been eating what he should have been, then he would have been fine."

Inuyasha winced. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have let Kagome get her way."

"What I'm confused is about is why did you let her?"

Looking toward Mahad, Karim and Isis, the trio entering the dining-room, Inuyasha fought the urge to be crude. After all, they had the right to ask. "I don't have a choice." He grunted irritably, tapping the beads about his throat. "Subjugation beads, full of Reiki and can only be removed by the one who placed them. Which happens to be Kagome. If I so much as sneeze wrong, all she has to do is say 'sit boy' and I'm face first in the dirt."

"WHAT?!"

Everyone at the table jumped at Sesshōmaru's sudden furious bellow. Shippō woke with a startled whimper but was swiftly soothed back to sleep by Atem gently bouncing the kit.

"What?" Inuyasha asked confused. "You happily kick my ass when it suits, but a human girl sitting me is a problem?"

"A human treating you like a damn mongrel is not the same!" Sesshōmaru spat, amber eyes snapping toward Miroku. "Monk! Can't you remove those retched beads?"

Miroku was shocked by the request and felt bad he was of no help. "Unfortunately, no. Only Kagome can remove them."

Snarling, Sesshōmaru stood. "I would suggest you find a way to make her break them, little brother. Or I'll go with the simplest solution of killing her. No Inu, not even you, deserves to be leashed."

Completely baffled, Inuyasha watched his brother leave and had to wonder when their messed up dynamic had shifted so abruptly.